The Supreme Court has designated the University of Santo Tomas (UST) as the National Headquarters (NHQ) for the 2025 Bar Examinations, marking the first time the university will serve as the Bar’s central hub since the exams were decentralized in 2020.

“The act of serving for the 2025 Bar Exams is never a burden. It is always a privilege,” said Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, 2025 Bar Chairperson and UST alumna.

She called on Bar personnel to uphold the highest standards of public trust and integrity: “Behind every exam paper is a dream, a family, and a story of hope and sacrifice.”

UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel welcomed the designation as a reflection of UST’s mission. “It is a concrete expression of our shared commitment to the formation of future members of the legal profession: men and women who will uphold justice, integrity, and the rule of law,” he said.

In addition to serving as the NHQ, UST will also function as one of the 14 official testing sites nationwide.

The other testing centers in Metro Manila include:

• San Beda University (Mendiola)

• New Era University (Quezon City)

• Manila Adventist College (Pasay)

• San Beda College Alabang (Muntinlupa)

• University of the Philippines BGC (Taguig)

• Ateneo de Manila University School of Law (Makati)

Regional sites are located in Baguio, Naga, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban, Davao, and Iligan.

A total of 13,301 examinees are expected to take this year’s Bar on 7, 10, and 14 September 2025.

The exams will cover six core subjects, weighted as follows:

• Political and Public International Law (15%)

• Commercial and Taxation Laws (20%)

• Civil Law (20%)

• Labor Law and Social Legislation (10%)

• Criminal Law (10%)

• Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises (25%)